Merchants cafe — new ownership, new look?

Built in 1890, The Merchant’s Café has been in continuous operation ever since, making it Seattle’s oldest restaurant. In the 1920s and ’30s, the upstairs functioned as a hotel, the Merchant’s Hotel.

Lately, I’ve been seeing a lot of all day / late night construction going on at Merchant’s Café, and the rumor mill is buzzing that a previous manager from Last Supper Club has purchased the cafe and is changing it to be more neighborhood and family friendly — including better food, outdoor seating (nice outdoor seating — no smoking out front), and better hours.

Stay tuned for more details — (or if you have some — please share! I’m having trouble tracking down the new owner).